#2 – Headaches – Emotions

If you can accept that your emotions impact your health then it follows that headaches more than likely have at least one emotional driver.  Understanding that emotions impact health was a new, and New Age-y, sort of philosophy when I first began living and teaching in the alternative healthcare world.  I DID NOT like the idea at all!  Being told that my kidney issues were fear-related (fear being the opposite of faith) got more than one person, and their awful little books, escorted off my front porch!  Eventually, as my heart issues worsened, I got desperate enough to consider the possibility that until I dealt with some emotional issues I was not likely to feel better.  A whole new world opened up to me.  I found health and well-being.  It has been an amazing journey – and a road I am still traveling along.

Gratitude

As far as I can see, gratitude is the most important emotion that we can make a habit of feeling.  Yes, I do believe that we “choose an attitude of gratitude.”  Our choices really do become our habits and our way of life!  On the other hand, we also choose self-centeredness and ingratitude.  It must be realized, however – because it will be realized in the details of our lives – that if we do not choose gratitude we will reap the negative rewards of ingratitude.  The universe is absolute in rewarding us according to our thoughts, feelings, and actions.   Also, it simply follows that thoughts and attitudes really do breed actions.

Attitudes and Actions

When we really and truly feel an “attitude of gratitude,” when such an attitude is intrinsic to our very natures, we will express those feelings out loud and often.  We will be vocally and visibly thankful and we will find ways to express it by word and by deed. Appreciation is another word which comes to mind.  Don’t we all like to feel appreciated for the things that we do and who we are?  I have found that expressing appreciation to others warms my own soul just as well as being appreciated myself does.  Perhaps, being appreciative is even more healing than being appreciated.   Also, to be appreciative we must first train ourselves to notice what was done for us by others!  The development of this skill can take a bit of effort but it is worth it! Gratitude, thankfulness, and being appreciative of those things that others – and Heaven – have done for us ignite generosity in our own souls.  We then desire to love and serve, unconditionally, as the Savior instructs us to do. All of these positive attitudes and attributes, these branches growing from the tree of gratitude, lead sooner or later to my favorite of all positive emotions – resilience.  What is resilience?  To me, it embodies many qualities.  First among them is the ability to bounce back after a trial.  It is the ability to find peace, or return to the peace I once had,  reasonably quickly after an emotional shock or betrayal by family or friends.  Resilience, to me, is the ability to live my life with joy, no matter my present circumstances.  “Men are that they might have joy,” after all!  I want to live my life in joy.  Further, and more importantly, I want to spread joy wherever I go.

What Should We Be Grateful For?

I would suggest four very basic things.

• The first is gratitude for our many blessings.  “If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough,” said Meister Eckhart many, many years ago.  Indeed, if you want your day to go better, begin it with a prayer of gratitude.
• The things we have learned.  This same insightful  Meister Eckhart, also said, “Truly, it is in the darkness that one finds the light, so when we are in sorrow, then this light is nearest of all to us.”  Learning from our trials and troubles is a very great happiness.  Being grateful for that learning is joy, indeed.
• Be grateful for what one speaker called “Tender Mercies.” Tender mercies are those little events in our lives that let us know that God is mindful of, and above all, is watching over us – individually and personally.  Tender mercies are best appreciated when passed on.  It is truly a great miracle, and a great joy to our own souls, when we are able to make ourselves available to God in the blessing of those around us.
• Last, but not least, remember to be grateful for our health – whatever state it is in.  Let us be grateful for everything we know, or are learning, about how to be better tomorrow than we are today.

Essential Oils

Because essential oils reach so deep into our energy they can have a profound effect on our emotions.  Below are some of my favorite ones to support an attitude of gratitude and thanksgiving. ^LeAcknowledge, ^LeBenediction, ^LeBountiful, ^LeFaith, ^LeConnection,  ^LeGrateful Heart, ^LeMoonlight,  ^LeQuiet Essence, ^LeReconciliation, and ^LeUnity. These are my favorites for generating feelings of generosity and benevolence. ^LeAboutFace, ^LeBountiful, ^LeExpressions, ^LeGrateful Heart, ^LeInner Peace, ^LeKindred Spirit, ^LeLetting Go, and ^LeUnity. Sometimes what we really need is compassion and empathy. ^LeBelieve, ^LeCherish, ^LeGrateful Heart, ^LeInner Peace, ^LeLetting Go, ^LeMeditation, ^LeQuiet Essence, ^LeReconciliation, and ^LeTrust.

Essential Oils and Emotions

Because of the ability of essential oils to help us release emotions, they can be of great assistance in getting to whatever emotional or spiritual roots our diseases and discomforts have.  Do essential oils change our personalities or even our emotions?  Of course not.  But they seem to mitigate some of the power of these emotions.  This gives us a little extra space in which to look more realistically or more creatively at our lives.  Solutions seem to present themselves in the pause provided by the aroma of the oil.  I can’t really explain it to you.  I can only say that I have experienced it myself and seen it in others many, many times.

Overwhelmed

For some people who battle migraines, the attack doesn’t start during the stressful or emotional event.  Instead, the migraine symptoms start after the stressful event has passed, during what is called the “let-down period.”  This occurs after a period of high stress or pressure ends and the individual has a chance to relax.  These migraines happen often on the weekend or at the beginning of vacations.

Essential Oils

^LeGrace

Feeling inadequate to the task in hand or, perhaps, inadequate in general.

^LeQuiet Essence

Relieves feelings of guilt about past mistakes.  In addition, ^LeQuiet Essence alleviates anger at others for their mistakes.  This blend aids us in trusting that God will be there for us just as He has been there in the past.  Consequently, we feel gratitude and faith instead of tension and stress.

^LeSanctuary

^LeSanctuary is comprised of essential oils with very high frequencies.  Diffusing or wearing ^LeSanctuary transports me to my own special place of peace and calm.  I feel as though I have rested a bit.  I return to my daily activities and responsibilities better able to cope.

^LeSolitude

This is the perfect blend for those of us who become stressed when there is just too much noise and confusion going on around us!  ^LeSolitude doesn’t make the noise and confusion go away.  It simply envelopes me in an atmosphere of peace and quiet where I can think and function optimally.

^LeWhispering Hope

This blend is perfect for those who continually pressure themselves to do more and to be absolutely perfect in everything that they do.  Additionally, they often expect to be ready, in an instant, for anything that comes up unexpectedly.  This is an especially nice blend for overwhelmed mothers of young children.

Flower Essences

Elm, Dill, Rabbitbrush, Fireweed, Golden Corydalis, Labrador Tea, Tundra Rose, and Yarrow.

Gem Essences

Aquamarine, Black Tourmaline, Carnelian, Covellite, Green Jasper, Hematite, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Orange Calcite, and Rutilated Quartz.

Structural Misalignment

It is easy to see why misalignment of the neck, back, and shoulders creates headaches, also.  Perhaps, we are less likely to realize that each vertebra of the body and, in fact, each part of the skeletal system has its own emotional connections and drivers.  Guilt, confusion, anger, bitterness, obsession, fear – all of these and many other emotions play a part in structural misalignment.  ^LeMillenia realigns all things structural.  Amazingly, it also aligns things emotionally and, somewhat, even spiritually.  ^LePatches aligns the energetic structures of the body, chakras, etc.  Both of these amazingly synergistic essential oil blends alleviate a great many types of structurally related headaches.

Fear

Fear, more often than not, is a kidney issue.  An out of balance kidney or kidney meridian can create feelings of fear.  On the other hand, fear – which is the opposite of faith – can create or worsen kidney issues.  I can tell you from first-hand experience over a lifetime that kidney issues, as well as looking at the future with fear, lead to headaches.

Flower Essences – all sorts of fears

Angelica, Aspen, Black Cohosh, Black-Eyed Susan, California Pitcher Plant, Cherry Plum, Chrysanthemum, Fairy Lantern, Fawn Lily, Filaree,  Five-Flower formula (Rescue Remedy), Garlic, Golden Yarrow, Holly, Larch, Mimulus, Mountain Pride, Oregon Grape, Pink Monkeyflower, Poison Oak, Red Chestnut, Rock Rose, Saint John’s Wort, Scarlet Monkeyflower, Star Thistle, Sticky Monkeyflower, Sweet Pea, Violet, Alpine Aster, Blazing Star, Monkshood, Pussy Paws, Bog Rosemary, Chiming Bells, Forget-Me-Not, Foxglove, Green Bog Orchid, Round-Leaved Sundew, Sitka Spruce Pollen, Soapberry, Tundra Rose, and White Violet.

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Gem Essences

Aventurine

Unsafe

Feeling safe is an essential ingredient in learning to trust others and even our own selves.  How does this attitude contribute to headaches?  A defensive posture tightens the muscular structures of the neck and shoulders.  This leads to misalignment of bony structures as well as circulation issues.

^LeAngel

Promotes feelings of being safe and loved.  This blend is specific to treatment for memories of past abusive trauma.  Consequently, it alleviates feelings of confusion, anger, and misplaced guilt.

^LeBelieve

This blend obviously operates at the cellular level.  The aroma of ^LeBelieve replaces negativity with love, forgiveness, peace, and understanding in our hearts and minds.  Working at the cellular level, as this blend so obviously does, helps us to make these changes permanent.  Looking at people through new eyes allows us to trust and feel safe with them.   ^LeBelieve is like being wrapped in a warm blanket of faith.

^LeBeloved

This blend opens our hearts and our spirits to recognize that we are loved more than we can possibly comprehend.  Understanding the great love that God has for us helps us in healing our own emotional wounds.  When we understand that God loves others and that they are beautiful, but struggling beings, it becomes easier to trust.  As a result, we feel safer in our personal space and in the world around us.

^LeTrust

This blend, as the name implies, is the most perfect blend for helping a person to feel safe.  ^LeTrust helps us learn to trust ourselves as we learn to trust others also.  As is always the way of natural remedies and modalities, ^LeTrust helps us avoid co-dependency, as well.

^LeTurmoil

This blend is useful in rebuilding the physical/emotional connection after trauma or loss.  Use ^LeTurmoil for the anger stage of grief.  Later, if the grief seems to be settling into depression, ^LeTurmoil helps here, also.

^LeSanctuary 

^LeSanctuary promotes feelings of safety and protection.  From this safe place, we can better hear the whisperings of inspiration.

Flower Essences

Angelica, Aspen, Baby Blue Eyes, Basil, Cerato, Cherry, Cherry Plum, Forget-Me-Not, Green Rose, Mallow, Mariposa Lily, Oregon Grape, Purple Monkeyflower, Saint John’s Wort, Self-Heal,  Sweet Chestnut, and Zinnia.

Gem Essences

Aventurine, Peridot, Pyrite, Rhodochrosite, Scepter Amethyst, and Star Sapphire.

Fear of Conflict

Conflict, for some personality types, is something to be avoided at all costs.  When it does occur – and sometimes it is necessary – it creates stress before, during, and after the actual discussion.  Headaches may occur at any point in this scenario.  Interestingly, it is statistically more likely to occur after the situation has been resolved!

^LeEZ Traveler

^LeEZ Traveler promotes feelings of calmness and emotional strength.  It increases our capacity to cope with the events and responsibilities of our lives.

^LeMillenia

^LeMillenia is my very favorite blend when I need to be fortified for any event.  If a conflict is inevitable, or if one needs to stand one’s ground for any reason, ^LeMillenia is the blend to reach for at these times!

^LeSanctuary

^LeSanctuary has a special affinity for the central vessel and bladder meridians.  This means that instead of folding in on ourselves and hugging our arms to our chest in the protection of our centers, we stand strong.  We stand strong enough to be open and welcoming, even of an adversary or during an adversarial sort of confrontation.

Fear of the Future

The result of trauma in the past is often a deep fear of similar traumatic experiences in the future.  Fear of the future may also be a lack of confidence in ourselves.  Any of these emotions inevitably lead to the release of hormones and cytokines that have the potential to bring on headache and/or migraine pain.

^LeBelieve

The beautiful aroma of this high-frequency blend generates feelings of confidence in our ability to do the right things and be in the right place at the right time in the future.

^LeBountiful

^LeBountiful addresses abundance issues.  The feeling of lack of abundance creates an inevitable attitude of greed with an underlying lack of faith in the future and what it holds for us.  Benevolence is the best word I can find to describe the feeling this blend creates. We find ourselves able to let go of our fear of trusting others, being dependent on them, or needing to ask for help.

^LeReconciliation

This blend is all about relationships.  This blend helps us find peace with the past, joy for today, and hope for the future of our relationships.  I have wondered – actually, I know – that essential oils develop in us that which we most desire.  Inevitably, if we have hardened our hearts or set our minds in anger, this blend will emphasize what we are insisting on focusing upon.  To heal either physically, emotionally, or spiritually, one must want healing.  To reconcile with another person, one must want reconciliation!

^LeDiscernment

This blend helps us discover the path that is most likely to bring us happiness and contentment.  It promotes faith in the future, thus helping us achieve our goals and dreams.

^LeAboutFace

This blend can help us link our past with our future goals, connecting cause and effect, actions and consequences, to one another.  As we make these connections we are able to choose our future courses more wisely.

^LeGrace

The aroma of ^LeGrace helps us find and move toward our own unique place in the universe.  This blend can bring us the assurance that we are right where we are supposed to be and heading toward a future that is just right for us.

^LeHeartSong

Too much cannot be said about ^LeHeartSong as it relates to calming the soul concerning any type of fear at all!

^LeWisdom

Wisdom should be the gift of old age.  Our fears, frustrations, annoyances, and instabilities should mellow into wisdom.  This blend will help us realize, early or late in life, that we are enough and that our best efforts were also enough and acceptable to our Lord.

Fear of Failure

What a huge amount of stress the fear of not doing well at something important to us creates!  And, also stress breeds tension and tension breeds headache pain and contributes to migraines.  An odd sort of fear of failure that I have seen too often is the fear, held by so many young people, that they will not be able to measure up to the things that those who love them think they are capable of.  Headaches are only one of the manifestations of this type of fear.

^LeVictory

Fear of failure is, almost, the hallmark of this wonderful blend.  ^LeVictory is a blend for learning disabilities and for working with any type of neurological problem.  Any sort of success then, is a victory.

^LeMillenia

^LeMillenia inspires courage to move forward with confidence and self-assurance.  Used, frequently, for children with ADHD or hyperactive behaviors.   ^LeMillenia helps us find a balance between being too organized,  too neat and orderly, too everything, while trying to avoid even the appearance of failure.

Flower Essence

Elm, and Larch.

Anxiety

Anxiety is, too often, a player in any type of illness.  Being anxious creates a fight, flight or freeze state in our nervous systems.  The activation of the nervous system into any one of these neurological states burns nutrients.  This is particularly true of important trace minerals.  Mineral and nutrient deficiencies make us vulnerable to several types of headache pain.  Mineral deficiencies and headaches will be addressed further in #4 – Headaches – Dehydration – Dehydration.  (Yes, dehydration creates mineral deficiencies.)

^LeAgeLess

^LeAgeLess is wonderfully synergistic and a beautiful creation concocted of 3 types of Frankincense.  In addition, Palo Santo, a “cousin” in the Frankincense family, lends mellowness and purpose.  This blend elevates the mood and builds confidence.  It is perfectly designed to foster within us a vision of ourselves as accepted and acceptable.  In addition, it generates in our hearts a readiness, always, to become even better.

^LeAssurance

This blend is an especially good choice when there is a need to overcome feelings of anxiety, fear, or conversely, the apathy that leads to procrastination.

^LeDreams

This blend, formulated to help us keep our dreams in sight, alleviates anxiety.  ^LeDreams promotes restful sleep since it lays our anxieties to rest.

^LeFaith

If you are prone to useless worrying, the faith and positive thoughts created by this blend will, unquestionably, be helpful to you. As its name implies, ^LeFaith generates feelings of faith and self-confidence within us.

^LeQuiet Essence

This blend is comprised of the oils of Lavender, Orange Sweet, Rosewood, Rue, St. John’s Wort, and Valerian, among other great anxiety-relieving essential oils.  With ingredients like this, ^LeQuiet Essence cannot help but calm such emotions.

^LeTranquility

One of the best-loved of the Butterfly line of essential oil blends, ^LeTranquility helps us develop inner strength, patience, and confidence.  ^LeTranquility relieves anxiety and promotes relaxation.  In addition, it calms tension and alleviates depression.

^LeVision

^LeVision clears the mind, reduces anxiety and stress levels, restores inner strength, and also improves decisiveness—without our needing to be overbearing or impatient.  If you tend to be irritable, this may be a good blend for you.

Flower Essences

Aspen, Cerato, Chamomile, California Valerian, Chrysanthemum, Elm, Filaree, Garlic, Golden Yarrow, Goldenrod, Larch, Mimulus, Mustard, Nicotiana, Paper Birch, Pink Monkeyflower, Pretty Face, Red Clover, and Trumpet Vine.

Gem Essences

Aquamarine

Fatigue

The fatigue that we are talking about here is both mental and emotional fatigue!  Dull headaches or frequent migraines result from both mental and physical fatigue.

Flower Essences

Aloe Vera, Centaury, Echinacea, Golden Yarrow, Hornbeam, Lady’s Slipper, Lavender, Lemon, Morning Glory, Mountain Pennyroyal, Oak, Peppermint, and Sierra Primrose.

Gem Essences

Ruby, Spectrolite, and Topaz.

Clarity of Thought

^LeBountiful

^LeBountiful is also beneficial to the brain in many ways.  It seems to clear the mind and rejuvenate sluggish thought processes. This blend can be stimulating and energizing, especially if we are feeling tired, worn down, and our thinking has become scattered.

^LeCrystal Clear

^LeCrystal Clear is one of three Butterfly blends formulated specifically for aiding thought processes.  It is nourishing to the nerves as well as the adrenal cortex and the cardiovascular system.

^LeFocus

^LeFocus has a completely different aroma than either ^LeCrystal Clear or ^LeIQ.  However, all three blends sharpen the mind and heighten the senses.  This blend certainly increases mental alertness, clears that “foggy” feeling, and helps to alleviate mental confusion of any sort.

^LeIQ

Created to alleviate mental fatigue and increase mental alertness.  It also aids in concentration and memory. ^LeIQ is powerfully stimulating and helpful when feeling faint, going into shock, and for recovery from jet lag. Particularly useful when one is over-tired but must continue on until a project is completed.

^LeLivN

^LeLivN helps us recover our normal resilience and equilibrium when stress or illness has robbed us of focus and direction.  Although ^LeLivN is mostly thought of as a liver cleansing formula, it nevertheless acts on the mind to help us be less frustrated and upset by people and events.

^LePaine

^LePaine is a very refreshing essential oil blend.  It is like a breath of fresh air for the mind, bringing instant clarity.

^LeRevitalize

This blend increases mental alertness and alleviates mental fatigue.  ^LeRevitalize is especially effective for those who make a habit out of running faster than they have strength too much of the time.

Flower Essences

Almond, Bunchberry, Cosmos, Hound’s Tongue, Lemon, Madia, Milkweed, Mountain Pennyroyal, Peppermint, Star of Bethlehem, Rabbitbrush, Rosemary, and Shasta  Daisy.

Disorganization

A dear friend and long-time employee once told me that I could finally spell the word, organized!   I believe that the frustration and anxiousness created by my lack of organizational skills – putting important papers anywhere and then forgetting where I had put them – contributed to a great many of my migraines during my younger years.

^LeConnection

^LeConnection has a delightful aroma which is centering, grounding, and emotionally balancing.  This is a good oil to diffuse or wear when life has become too crazy and overwhelming.  This blend can increase our ability to stay focused, organized, and on point, even under stressful circumstances.

^LeInsight

In the world of essential oils, there is nothing more grounding than a wood oil.  These essential oils are just naturally grounding.  The wood oil in ^LeInsight is Sandalwood.  Sandalwood is my absolute favorite among the wood oils.  Sandalwood and the blend, ^LeInsight, that contains it, calms the nerves, grounds the emotions, and organizes the thought processes.

^LeMillenia

^LeMillenia realigns both the physical body and the energetic body.  It grounds us to earth, centers us within ourselves, and aligns our desires with those of Heaven and with what is and will be.

^LeTurmoil

The aspect of ^LeTurmoil that I appreciate most is its ability to calm a person who is jumping from project to project, thought to thought.  ^LeTurmoil helps them settle down, organize themselves, and accomplish something instead.

^LeRevitalize

Increases mental alertness and alleviates mental fatigue.  Because of this, it is very useful in calming the mind.  A calm and clear mind is a much better-organized mind.

^LeVictory

This blend is used, predominantly, for learning disabilities of various types.  ^LeVictory impacts electrical and neurological energies of the brow chakra and the brain.  Thus, it improves analytical ability and linear thinking skills.

Flower Essences

Indian Pink, Madia, Rabbitbrush, Scleranthus, and Lemon.

Over-thinking

Insufficient energy in the spleen meridian results in over-thinking and excessive worry.  Benzoin raises this energy and soothes anxiety that is aggravated by exhaustion.  There is nothing more frustrating – or more likely to bring on a headache – than lack of sleep from an over-active mind.  Also, over-analyzing everything freezes a person in place, fills that person’s life with fear, and makes a person unable to accomplish the goals they have set for themselves.

^LeDreams

^LeDreams contains Benzoin single essential oil, mentioned above.  If we begin to over-think and over-analyze, our dreams can be pushed out of sight and out of reach.  ^LeDreams can help us keep our dreams in sight instead of becoming bogged down in details and worry.  Over-thinking is really just another form of allowing ourselves to worry our way out of productivity and sanity.

^LeTranquility

Useful for those times, either waking or sleeping, when the mind keeps playing upcoming lists of things to be done over and over again in the mind.

Worry

Why do we worry?  Worry rarely does anything to resolve a situation.  It merely robs the present of joy and stresses our entire system needlessly!  Does this contribute to headaches and migraines?  The answer to that question is, also a resounding “yes”!

^LeBountiful

^LeBountiful has a profound effect on the things we worry about.  It also impacts how we choose to respond to the situations and events that worry us.

^LeFaith

This blend is specific for dealing with fears concerning being abandoned or left to cope with situations totally on one’s own.  If you are prone to useless worrying, you may find this blend helpful.  As its name implies, it generates feelings of faith and self-confidence within us.

^LeKadence

The focus of ^LeKadence is the exhaustion, both mental and physical, that is associated with too much work and worry.  This blend is especially helpful for headaches and heart palpitations brought on by worrying about things we have no capacity to change.  ^LeKadence does this, in part, by improving the uptake of nutrients needed by the brain and nervous system.

^LeWisdom

This blend can help us maintain a firm presence in today, rather than worrying incessantly about what might be coming tomorrow, and whether or not we have prepared for every eventuality in every way that we should have.

Flower Essences

Crab Apple, Filaree, Red Chestnut, and White Chestnut.

Anger and Resentment

These two emotions, especially when repressed and held within, damage both the liver and the spleen, and their accompanying energy meridians.  Blocked energy in these meridians create a great many types of headaches.  These headaches are congestive in nature.  This means that they are likely to be very intense.  Excruciating, even.  The effects of meridian health (from Traditional Chinese philosophy) is addressed in Articles 11 through 13 of this series on headaches, if you are interested.

^LeCherish

A very special aspect of  ^LeCherish is utilized as this high-frequency blend helps us rebuild our emotional balance and gain perspective in the aftermath of quarrels.  In other words, ^LeCherish quenches any residual anger that we might still be feeling.

^LeGrace

Anger stimulates many of the systems of our bodies to hyperactivity.  One such system is the electrical system of the heart. ^Le Grace regulates the electrical impulses of the heart and, in addition, has a regulatory effect on the heartbeat, pulse, and blood pressure.  In addition, ^LeGrace eases the headaches that these situations sometimes create.

^LeLetting Go

Use ^LeLetting Go to aid in the release of anger, frustration, resentment, despair, grief, insecurity, or any other emotion that is not serving you well.  Resentment will destroy one’s health.  It will, unquestionably, damage or destroy any relationship that it is allowed to infest.

^LeLiteN

^LeLiteN improves metabolic function, stabilizes hormones, and balances blood sugar.  Improvement in metabolism, hormone balance, and blood sugar levels would stabilize emotions such as anger and/or resentment.

^LeLivN

The liver and the liver meridian are very closely connected to feelings of anger and resentment.  ^LeLivN improves liver function and, therefore, is perfectly suited to the relief of such feelings.

^LeReflections

Resentment seems to be a by-product of the fear connected to kidney issues.  Blends that support the kidneys ameliorate, or at least ease the intensity of, these feelings.  ^LeReflections is one of the best of these blends.

^LeRevitalize

The blends ^LeLivN and ^LeRevitalize work on the liver and liver meridian.   They subdue feelings of anger and resentment.  This gives us a chance to consider and reconsider the actions that we really want to take.

^LeUnity

The Butterfly blend ^LeUnity promotes harmony and appreciation for those around us.  It is difficult, if not impossible, to be resentful and grateful at the same time.

Flower Essences

Black-Eyed Susan, Blue Elf Viola,  Chamomile, Fuschia, Holly, Impatiens, Mountain Wormwood, Poison Oak, Scarlet Monkeyflower, Snapdragon, Willow.

Gem Essence

Tiger’s Eye

Frustration

When I think of what frustrates me, I must conclude that I am usually most frustrated when “real life” interferes with something I am trying to get done.  It does no good at all to get so frustrated that a headaches results.  Being kept from moving forward toward a goal or with a project is a sure recipe for a headache.

^LeAcknowledge

^LeAcknowledge balances the heart and sacral chakras.  Balance in these chakras brings sufficient emotional calm to move away from feelings of frustration and even depression.

^LeLivN

This blend is mostly thought of as a liver cleansing formula, but it also acts on the mind to help us be less frustrated and upset by people and events.

^LeWhispering Hope

One of the keynotes of ^LeWhispering Hope is frustration at other people’s choices.  It can certainly be frustrating to see situations arise that we believe to be detrimental and have absolutely no control over the situation in any way.

Flower Essences

Blackberry, Blue Elf Viola, Gentian, Impatiens, Indian Paintbrush, Iris, Sweetgale, and Wild Iris.

Perfectionism

The need to do everything absolutely perfect is a recipe for stress, and for stress and tension-related headaches.  In homeopathic theory and in Chinese Medical Philosophy, this drive toward perfection is, too often, a response to feelings of inadequacy.  Along with headaches, this pressure – which we put on ourselves – is considered a contributing factor to cancer.  As a general rule, people caught up in these emotions not only do everything to the absolute, and sometimes ridiculous, top degree but they also commit themselves to more projects than any one person could possibly handle.

^LeMillenia

This blend can help us find equilibrium between being organized, neat, orderly, meticulous, logical, and analytical (all good traits), and being obsessively focused on perfection.

^LeTranquility

One of the best-loved blends of the Butterfly line.  A very relaxing and nerve-strengthening blend.  Brings peace and perspective to nearly every situation.

^LeWhispering Hope

This blend is for those who are continually pressuring themselves to do more, be absolutely perfect, or to be ready for any future crisis or situation that may happen.

^LeWisdom

Besides making emotional wrecks of us, continually putting pressure on ourselves to do more or do everything better and faster, this kind of perfectionism is an almost sure recipe for migraines!

Flower Essences

Agrimony, Alpine Lily, Beech, Buttercup, Centaury, Cerato, Chamomile, Crab Apple, Dandelion, Elm, Fawn Lily, Filaree, Gentian, Impatiens, Larch, Lavender, Lotus, Manzanita, Oak, Olive, Pine, Pretty Face, Red Chestnut, Rock Water, Scarlet Monkeyflower, Vervain, Vine, Water Violet, and Willow.

Gem Essences

Gold and Green Jasper.

Neglecting Oneself

Service to others is one of life’s most noble endeavors.  However, like all virtues, even this one can be overdone.  Putting other’s needs before your own, in other words, neglecting your own physical, emotional, and mental health – is a recipe for migraines.  In fact, headaches and migraines will likely be only the tip of the health problems experienced.

^LeMillenia

^LeMillenia realigns things emotionally, mentally, and physically.  From a clear place emotionally, we perceive both the needs of others and our own needs and keep them in balance and perspective.

^LeSanctuary

^LeSanctuary helps us develop wisdom and good judgment.  It also lets us build trust in ourselves and our decisions.  From this place we serve with joy rather than out of a need to be recognized and appreciated.

^LeVision

One aspect of ^LeVision, not often appreciated, is its tendency to bring us perspective where thinking we know best for others is concerned.  This blend clears the mind and reduces anxiety.  It helps us see the difference between our actual responsibilities and those things that are either none of our business or that we cannot change.

Flower Essences

Centaury, Larkspur, Oak, and Red Chestnut.

Loving and Being Loved

Love and approval from others is a basic need of all people.  Having a circle of people to love, and being generous in expressing our love and approval is also food for the soul.  As I looked at essential oils with a reputation for effectiveness with headache pain, I found many of them targeted relationships in one way or another.

^LeBountiful

The intent of this blend is to create feelings of security, generosity, and thankfulness.  These feelings then bring the “blessings of heaven” down on our heads.  We understand that we are loved and we see and feel love all around us, as a result.

^LeGrace

This is a blend for those needing unrealistic amounts of love and approval.    ^LeGrace mitigates those feelings of deficiency in ourselves that are only perceptions.  This blend helps us connect to God’s view of our potential and who we are.  ^LeGrace is meant to open us to the love of others and to proper acceptance of ourselves, faults and all.

^LeHoliday Spirit

I worried as I created ^LeHoliday Spirit that not everyone’s memories of Christmas would bring them joy.  However, this bend of grounding Spruce, Orange, and Cinnamon with a touch of the vanilla-like aroma of Benzoin seems to bring joy, peace, and energy with its aroma.

^LeLetting Go

Allowing anger, resentment, or frustration onto the stage of our minds prevents us from seeing the genuine love and approval those around us are offering us.  As a result, we come to feel that we are not receiving the love and appreciation we feel we deserve.

^LeReconciliation

^LeReconciliation, as has been said before, is a relationship blend.  It is for those times when we feel misunderstood, underappreciated, and isolated from family and friends.

^LeHeartSong

Sometimes, not always but sometimes, people caught in deep grief or emotional pain, develop the perception that others are not there for them as they should be.  ^LeHeartSong addresses this emotion.  It lifts the mood and the energy frequency of the body.  The aroma of ^LeHeartSong brings hope and connection to others.

^LeSanctuary

^LeSanctuary helps us develop wisdom and good judgment.  It lets us build trust in ourselves and our decisions.  From this place, we serve with joy rather than out of a need to be recognized and appreciated.

^LeSego Lily

^LeSego Lily also promotes a feeling of being loved and appreciated. Its aroma often inspires us to show love and appreciation to others.

Gem Essences

Emerald, Kunzite, Pyrite, and Rose Quartz.

Intuition

Whether you refer to this gift as inspiration, intuition, or instinct, we all have the ability to receive these impressions.  Do we ever, while holding our heads in our hands to relieve headache pain, fret because we could have prevented whatever is causing us pain if we had only listened more close and followed the counsel of  the little voice in our head and heart.

^LeConnection

The Sage, Angelica, Dong Quai, and Ylang Ylang in ^LeConnection have an affinity for the pelvic area chakras and organs while the Spruce and the Cedarwood have to do with the solar plexus and the receiving of divine inspiration.  This blend connects those two areas giving us great core strength and emotional equilibrium.

^LeDiscernment

This blend, ^LeDiscernment has a special place for those who struggle with pride or arrogance.  This is especially true for those who fail to credit heaven, inspiration from heavenly sources, and God’s tender mercies with any part in their successes.

^LeMagi

Do you strive to be able to discern and listen to the Spirit more fully?  ^LeMagi is a favorite of many people because it seems to clarify intuition and heighten the ability to hear the whisperings of divine inspiration.

^LeMeditation

Make a difficult decision can be extremely stressful.  ^LeMeditation greatly aids decision-making ability.  It brings us to a place where we can better discern the difference between heavenly input and our own wants and desires.

Flower Essences

Bog Rosemary, California Pitcher Plant, Mountain Forget-Me-Not, and Tall Mt. Larkspur.

Gem Essences

Citrine, Moonstone, Sapphire, and Star Sapphire.

Inflexibility

Pride, intolerance, and inflexible attitudes, absolutely contribute to stiffness in the physical body, especially in the neck.  Scripture often describes prideful, intolerant people as “stiff-necked.”  That description of a failure to heed the counsel of heaven and other people has always brought such a picture to my mind.  Can a figurative emotional or spiritual “stiff neck” cause headache pain?  Indeed, the world’s literature is full of such examples.

^LeBelieve

^LeBelieve helps us move into a more self-forgiving and self-confident state.  As a result, we feel more generous, cooperative, and compassionate towards others.  We are better able to, at least, consider their point of view and compromise a little if a compromise is in order.

^LeGrateful Heart

Being grateful, as pointed out in the introduction to this article, changes everything for us.  As our perspective clears, we naturally become more cooperative and flexible.  The tension we are holding in our neck and shoulders dissipates.  As a result, any headaches connected to these emotions and this holding of stress vanishes.

^LeInsight

There are some wonderful emotional oils in this beautiful blend – some of my very favorites.  Sandalwood (nothing beats Sandalwood), Jasmine, Orange, and Vanilla.  When negative emotions clear, there is an increase in intuition, organizational skills, mental faculties, and flexibility of thoughts and reactions.  We become more tolerant of others, more loving, and just generally more pleasant to be around.

^LeTomorrow

One of the most pleasing aspects of this essential oil blend is the desire that it creates within us to forgive and to love others more unconditionally.   To do this, however, we will need to set our own selves aside long enough to appreciate their opinions and good qualities.  This blend helps us look forward in our relationships with others, seeing their potential contributions, instead of focusing on disagreements in the past.

^LeUnity

^LeUnity is simply the best blend ever for promoting peace, harmony, and good will among family members, friends, and co-workers.

Flower Essences

Blazing Star, Dandelion, Calendula, Dogwood, Oak, Quaking Grass, Rabbitbrush, Rock Water, Sunflower, Vervain, Vine, Water Violet,  Wild Rhubarb, and Willow.

Gem Essences

Pearl and Chrysocolla.

Judgmental

According to my mother years ago, there is nothing that quite equals “looking down your nose” at others to bring on a stiff neck and, as a natural result, a headache! Judging others, and being critical of them, as many have noted recently, is becoming an international pass time on social media.   On a whim, I typed the word, judgmental, into a Google search.  Immediately, I noticed that I could click on a line called “Judgmental Maps.”  What did I find?  Maps of cities and states everywhere.  These maps were covered with words – nasty negative words separating one part of the area from surrounding areas.   Being judgmental, overly critical of others, or even just impatient with people and situations divides nations and neighborhoods.  It also, certainly, divides our own souls!

^LeLetting Go

It would be a major oversight to leave ^LeLetting Go out of a discussion of these particular negative emotions!  If we let go of our emotional baggage, those emotions that are not in our best interest, we will, without doubt, find that these emotions have fled, as well.

^LeUnity

Helps rid us of stubbornness, anger, judgment, and jealousy.

^LeVision

This blend clears the mind, reduces anxiety and stress levels, restores inner strength, and improves decisiveness.  It does all this without our needing to be overbearing or impatient. Consequently, if you tend to be irritable or overly critical of others, this may be a good blend for you.

Flower Essences

Calendula, Impatiens, Poison Oak, and Willow.

Gem Essences

Aquamarine, Jadeite Jade, and Pearl.

Sensitivity

My father used to call being easily offended being “overly sensitive.”  Then he would point out that, perhaps, a better word for it was “senseless.” It has been a policy of mine, for a lifetime, to refuse to be offended.  My philosophy has been, “If a person means to offend me, I refuse to give them the satisfaction.  If they didn’t mean to give me offense, what would be the point in being offended?”  This philosophy has served me well for nearly half a century.  However, such good sense and sound advice has been sorely tested of late.  As a result, I am looking into the Flower Essences listed below.  Headaches are mentioned as a symptom for so many of them.  Perhaps, you will want to do the same, if you feel the need.

^LeDiscernment

This is a great oil for those who struggle with pride or arrogance, or who fail to credit heaven and other people with any part in their successes.

^LeGrateful Heart

One of the best blends for helping us be understanding of the trials and struggles of those around us.  Unquestionably, it is hard to be offended by those for whom we feel compassion.

^LeSolitude

This oil brings peace and happiness to mind and body.  ^LeSolitude can help us find perspective, peace, and patience with our fellow beings.

Flower Essences

Beech, Golden Yarrow, Lavender, Love-Lies-Bleeding, and Poison Oak.

Gem Essences

Black Tourmaline, Brazilian Quartz, and Covellite.

Lack of Assertiveness

We have mentioned, several times in fact, that stiff neck muscles is a recipe for headache pain.  Lack of muscle tone in the neck and shoulder muscles can also create headaches.  Does lack of assertiveness, emotionally, have a correlation to lack of tone in these muscles?  Does the inability to stand up for oneself and what one believes in have a correlation to headaches and migraines?  I believe that it does!

^LeEnergy

^LeEnergy can aid us in making decisions.  Indeed, it can assist us in learning to take responsibility for our own lives and actions.  This blend moderates our need for the attention and approval of others.  As we are able to remember that we need only our own and God’s approval of our actions, it becomes easier to take a stand – kindly but firmly – when it is necessary.

^LeKindred Spirit

^LeKindred Spirit contains some of the very best essential oils for working with chronic illness.  In addition, this blend is a very nearly perfect example of synergy between single oils in a blend.  No one single oil found in this bend could possibly achieve all the emotional layers that this unique blend works with.

^LeLetting Go

Our forward progress has been halted by negative emotions.  We feel frustrated and resentful but we lack the courage to stand up for ourselves, our beliefs, our desires.  As a result, we cannot move forward.

^LeMillenia

There is no better blend for finding the courage to stand for our convictions.  This blend also helps us express our emotions clearly.  Without the need for drama or undue firmness.

^LeVision

As the name implies, helps us see the path we need to take more clearly.  When we are confident that we are seeing our way clearly – when we know that what we are planning or asking is right for us – it is easier to stand firm against the opinions of others.

Flower Essences

Scleranthus, Cosmos, Deerbrush, Sweetgale, and Twinflower.

Gem Essences

Azurite, Bloodstone, Brazilian Quartz, Hematite, and Scepter Amethyst.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine – TCM

The last several articles in this series look at headaches from a Chinese meridian/organ relationship.  Traditional Chinese Medicine truly understands that emotions and energy underly the problems our physical bodies experience.  I mention some of the basic emotions of each meridian and its accompanying organ system in those articles.  In addition, there are multitudes of books available nowadays on the subject of emotions and various body parts and organs.  I know these articles on Traditional Chinese Medicine are VERY long and detailed.  Yes, I am a bit obsessional when it comes to researching a topic and writing about it!  I hope you will take advantage of my efforts. Further, I hope those efforts will bless your life.  They took a very long and dedicated 6 weeks to compile and write.  (However, I loved every minute of it!) Homeopathic, herbal, essential oil and acupressure points are given all along the way in these articles.  Since it is impossible to work with the physical body without working with the emotions as well, some of the suggestions listed there are emotional in nature.  Those suggestions, by their very nature, affect the body on physical, emotional and, even, spiritual levels.  Isn’t nature, and nature’s God, good?

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This blog is part of a series on headaches.  This series includes. . . .